Life

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

/ Gail Johnson / 8 Comments

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:1-2 (KJV)

In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, our hero, Christian, seeks to rid himself of his burden of sin. Though Worldly Wiseman’s suggestions are wrong, his statements about the effects of a burden are true.

Worldly Wiseman: “I would urge you then, with all speed, to get rid of your burden; for your mind will not be at rest till then.”

Christian: “That is just what I seek to do. But there is no man in our land who can take it from me.” Pilgrim’s Progress Simplified Reading Series

When we accumulate troubles amid our daily routines, we may overlook their impact on our hearts and minds. But the longer we carry the weight, the more we feel the effects. In times like these, it is easy to become burdened with the cares of this life. But there is a solution: prayer.

Prayer is crucial in the lives of God’s people. I know I said it in my last devotional, but it is worth repeating. If our minds are to be at rest, we must unburden ourselves in prayer. For no man can soothe a troubled soul like Jesus!

If the cares of this life are weighing down your heart and mind, I hope you will take time to turn off the screen, shut out the noise, and get away with the Lord. I promise you will come away with a different mindset.

I’ll see you back here in a few weeks. Meanwhile, let’s pray for each other.

The Song

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Thro’ death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion:
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you: He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Helen Howarth Lemmel Public Domain

If you’d like to learn more about Helen Lemmel and Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, visit Luke Powell’s YouTube channel here.

Wonderful Peace

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (KJV)

Legacy of Peace

Why should I worry?
Why should I fear?
Why be discouraged,
When Hope is so near?

Why not surrender?
Trust and release.
Rest in His promised
Legacy of peace.

~ GJ © 2019

Many things threatened to steal my joy and peace the year I wrote this poem. I don’t have to tell you about 2020. Truth is, so many things can discourage and rob us of our peace if we allow it to invade our hearts. But Jesus said, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Christ’s peace isn’t the peace of this world. His peace penetrates the heart and soul because it is a gift purchased with his blood.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

So how do we, as children of God, remain calm in a world gone mad? Paul tells us in Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

In addition, we should fill our hearts with His Word, pray, and keep our minds filled with His promises.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9 (KJV)

Something that helps keep my mind free from turmoil and allows me to rest in peace is shutting down the computer and my phone. Spring is the perfect time to get alone with God in His creation. Beginning in May, I am taking a break to spend time with the Lord. I also need to finish a few projects.😊

In the meantime, if you are struggling to find peace of mind, I pray you look to the Author of Peace.

The Song

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; in celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above; sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, buried deep in the heart of my soul; so secure that no power can mine it away, while the years of eternity roll.

I am resting today in this wonderful peace, resting sweetly in Jesus’ control; and I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, now His glory is flooding my soul.

And I know when I rise to that city of peace, where the Author of peace I shall see. That one of the anthems the ransomed will sing, in that heavenly kingdom shall be:

O soul, are you here without comfort or rest, walking down the rough pathway of time? Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark; O accept this sweet peace so sublime.

Rev. Warren D. Cornell and Rev. William G. Cooper, Public Domain